A T THE moment this property is a blank canvas, unfurnished but ready to be moved into tomorrow. It also presents a fabulous opportunity to set up home in one of the most sought after locations in North Staffordshire.

The house at 354, Princes Road, Penkhull, is exceptional. Before the current owners, Alison Hall and her brother John Hayes, a builder who owns Mulberry Construction in Leek, bought it the site was a block of garages.

A year or so on it has been turned into a brand new property which has the look of a period house but which inside is thoroughly modern. It is built to the latest insulation and efficiency regulations and finished to a very high standard. As Alison says: "It was a labour of love for us, not just a development or business project.''

At first glance you might drive past and not realise it is a new house, so well does it fit into its surroundings. As part of the planing permission John had to use reclaimed brick, keep the same height and pitch of the roof and use the egg-and-dart decorative mouldings on the front of the property.

But inside it's like a new pin. The finish is superb, a testament to John's building skills, and it is immediately apparent on walking in that being forced to build sympathetically to the surrounding houses has one major benefit – the ceilings are higher than usual, adding considerably to the sense of light and space inside.

Downstairs you find will find a spacious lounge/dining room with a bay window at the front and double glazed sash windows which are a bit unusual. It is open plan through to the fitted kitchen which has a five ring gas range, fitted fridge /freezer and dishwasher, plus all the usual cupboards and wall units.

Behind that is a lovely lounge which is filled with the morning sun and patio doors leading out into the back garden which has a flagged patio area and some lawn and borders and on to the gently descending steps down to the large Tarmac drive which is secured by a pair of gates, the double garage with an electric up and over door and a workshop/ store.

There is also a cold water tap and power and light down here too.

There is also a cloakroom/w.c/ plenty of understairs storage and a utility room plumbed for an automatic washing machine.

A wide staircase with wooden banister takes you upstairs to the bedrooms and bathrooms. The master bedroom, at the back of the house, has large fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower/w.c.

The three further bedrooms are all good sized and there is a connecting door between two of them – a good arrangement as a nursery if you want to keep an ear open for a toddler at night?

The fourth bedroom, on the side of the house, also has a lovely Velux sky light which creates a very interesting and light room. There is also access to the loft.

T he house really is an attractive proposition. The workmanship is superb and Alison said that, as part of the process of certifying a new build home, it was tested for being draught proof and not letting in cold air from, for example, the roses at the base of ceiling lights or from the end of the joists, and it passed with flying colours.

This is an amazing property, on the market to be rented at £850 pcm. There cannot be many properties in such a convenient location where so many people are looking to live thanks to the proximity to the hospital complex, which is near to both Newcastle and the A500 (Honeywall runs next to the parking area at the back), which has four bedrooms, its own ample off-road parking space and which is in such pristine condition.

For anyone working at the hospital wanting a great family home, 354 Princes Road is a very special opportunity.